Comparison · Jerusalem vs Tel Aviv · Israel
Jerusalem vs Tel Aviv
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: askii, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Choose Jerusalem for Old City and Western Wall; choose Tel Aviv for Beaches, Bauhaus White City, beaches and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 54 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 54 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Jerusalem
- April–June and September–November
- Best time for Tel Aviv
- April–June and September–November
Side by side
| Jerusalem | Tel Aviv | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Israel | Israel |
| Known for | Old City, Western Wall and Church of the Holy Sepulchre | Beaches, Bauhaus White City and Old Jaffa |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–November | April–June and September–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$320 | $200–$350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 29°C (84°F) | August, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 12°C (54°F) | January, 18°C (64°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 12 | 15 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | Metzitzim Beach |
| Airports | TLV | TLV |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Jerusalem for…
Old City and Western Wall. Jerusalem is sacred to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and its walled Old City — under one square kilometre, divided into the Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian quarters — holds the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple Mount /…
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Choose Tel Aviv for…
Beaches, Bauhaus White City, beaches and free sights. Tel Aviv runs for about 14 km along the Mediterranean, with a continuous seafront promenade linking the old port city of Jaffa in the south to the Tel Aviv Port and Yarkon Park in the north. Its centre is the White City, a UNESCO-listed ensemble of some…
Top sights compared
| # | Jerusalem | Tel Aviv |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Wall | Old Jaffa |
| 2 | Western Wall Tunnels | Jaffa Port |
| 3 | Church of the Holy Sepulchre | Jaffa Flea Market (Shuk HaPishpeshim) |
| 4 | Temple Mount / Haram al-Sharif and the Dome of the Rock | Carmel Market |
| 5 | Old City walls and Ramparts Walk | White City Bauhaus architecture |
Food compared
| Jerusalem | Tel Aviv |
|---|---|
| Hummus | Hummus |
| Jerusalem mixed grill | Sabich |
| Ka'ak al-Quds | Falafel |
| Knafeh | Shakshuka |
Which is cheaper?
Jerusalem and Tel Aviv cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $180–$320 in Jerusalem and $200–$350 in Tel Aviv (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Jerusalem on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are about 54 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Jerusalem and 4 in Tel Aviv.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Jerusalem or Tel Aviv cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 in Jerusalem and $200–$350 in Tel Aviv (estimates).
+Is Jerusalem or Tel Aviv better for a first trip?
Pick Jerusalem for Old City and Western Wall, or Tel Aviv for Beaches, Bauhaus White City, beaches and free sights.
+How far is Jerusalem from Tel Aviv?
About 54 km in a straight line.